Tip of the Week: Wisdom You Can Use!

“By assessing business unit competencies, business trends, uncertainties and opportunities, a manager can construct appropriate strategies and actions that drive results which in turn assist the company as a whole to fulfill its mission.”

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When department managers and supervisors are asked whether or not they have a plan for success, most will answer yes. A plan sounds like something they should definitely have, right? In fact, they may actually have a plan. But a plan in itself does not ensure success, and executive leadership should always dig deeper. Important questions:

Does the plan integrate with our overall corporate goal?

What is the scope of the plan?

What is the financial risk inherent in the plan?

What resources are required to implement the plan?

What specific problem does the plan address?

How is success measured?

Who is responsible for each action item within the plan?

Where, specifically, is the plan taking the department or business?

Without in-depth, customized training in strategic planning, most leaders will not be able to answer all of these questions. They may possess a profound understanding of their part of the business without recognizing how it fits into the entire enterprise. The skill set for running an efficient department does not always translate to analytic review of numbers and the creation of data-driven decisions. There is also a tendency in excellent employees toward a desire to fix everything. Good strategic planning understands that you cannot attack all problems at once.

If your business is striving to make breakthroughs, performing badly in certain critical areas, has a limited budget for multiple improvement initiatives or is trying to reach long-term business goals, then you need strategic planning. Since moving through strategic planning all the way to implementation only works when employees and leaders of all levels buy in to and participate in the process, you also need training.

CGWA is proud to offer our customized Strategic Planning and Implementation workshop for your leadership team. We’ll help develop your team by providing the skills and knowledge needed to question goals, design plans that support overall business desires, and define precise metrics for success. Leaders will come away with a toolbox to propel them from ideas to action and on to success. Seize the moment and move your business toward increased efficiency and profitability!